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Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy is sci-fi, but it definitely has that witty element to it. I can't think of any fantasy like that, though, off the top of my head. That is a tough assignment, and I will see if I can scratch something up from my memory.
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I'm re-reading this right now :)
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Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy is a good one but yes, most of the time you really have to concentrate hard to follow on what is exactly meant.
You could try reading 'The Amulet of Samarkand' by Johnathan Stroud....Its not like Lord of the Rings, though. Its a story abt a Djinn and a boy....The Djinn does some pretty witty talking in there :)
Its a pretty light read, though.
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haha thats what I'd recommend too, its brilliant and totally hilarious.
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Oh..and I forgot to tell you this...."The Amulet of Samarkand" is the first part of the "Bartimaeus Triology". So, if you go ahead with this...you might as well want to read.. "Book two: Ptolemy's Game" and "Book Three: Golem's Eye". However, the three stories are not so strongly connected to each other...so if you choose only book one...you won't be left with any unanswered questions.
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* Here's a recent review of a series you might like. It definitely has a comic element to it, though it is still a serious medieval fantasy. Check it out:
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY
The Blackgloom Bounty is one of those rambling, picaresque fantasies...in a universe strongly resembling the 10th Century border region of present-day Northern England and Southern Scotland. The story rackets along at a tremendous pace, rather like an amusement park ride or a fiendishly complicated Dungeons and Dragons game. At the end of it you are dumped out with a spinning head and a perhaps not-quite accurate memory of everything that went on, but in no doubt that you and everyone else had a tremendously amusing ride.
There is an enormous cast of characters, rushing about, and it was all something to do with curses, stolen inheritances, a stalwart young heir hidden away, a feisty wench, brave warriors, secret tombs, ghosts, wicked noblemen, spells and shape-changing, magic stones and a treasure of wonderful wealth, a sea-monster and then...well, the review would be as long as the book itself if I attempted to do even a short recapitulation. And it wouldn't be anywhere near as amusing.
When young Daynin and his grandfather find a curiously carved stone while plowing their field, they have little idea that it is the legendary Scythian Stone but a wandering magician named Kruzurk Makshare does and with a few brisk preliminaries, Daynin is off and running on the adventure of his life, to find and liberate an enormous treasure, and then to keep hold of it.
The author has concocted an intricate yarn, briskly paced, and in a writing style which frequently sparkles. He also has an ear for conversation... This is the first volume of a series, and a worthwhile read for any devotee of the fantasy-adventure genre.
(Review by Sgt. Mom who is a freelance writer blogging at The Daily Brief.)
* Posted by the author with permission.
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smog
- Wednesday, September 26 2007
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HAve you tried George Effinger. He writes short stories about Muffy the Valley Girl turned Swordswoman. If you enjoy Whedon's spin on the world then go with him. Also Asprin Myth and Phule's series both more on the punny side but very funny and quite clever. You need a wide repetorie in order to get all the jokes just like Firefly and Buffy.
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The Thraxas books by Martin Scott are good and quite witty.
They're fantasy/detective books, but unlike the Dresden Files are set in a fantasy world.
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Check out The Myth Adventures by Robert Asprin. Tooo funny.
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JenineW
- Wednesday, September 26 2007
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I love the Myth books! I think they may be OOP but the Spellsinger series by Alan Dean Foster was pretty good too. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson was pretty good with funny/witty parts as well.
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Thanks Jenine. I have always wanted to read the Spellsinger series. Elantris sounds like fun too.
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vovin
- Wednesday, September 26 2007
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Thank you guys for all those suggestion. Now my must-read list grew even longer.
Thank you, really appreciate it. :P
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I am not really what you would call a fantasy fan, however I just love Thursday Next - Jasper Fforde and also the Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine - they are great books - thrilling and witty and beautiful imo
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Mercedes Lackey's 500 kingdoms books - Fairy Godmother, One Good Knight, Fortunes Fool.
And Pratchett's Discworld series
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Fantasy -- Kushiel's Legacy Series by Jacqueline Carey. Some of her writing is so dark, and her books include intrigue, sexual prowess, and unique types of violence.
Sci/Fi -- F.Paul Wilson's Healer. I know F.Paul Wilson generally writes Horror, but I don't consider the book as a much a horror as an excellent hard science fiction book. It deals with a federation of semi-earth like planets, a few advanced alien races, and an excellent story line based around the journey of a characters stumbled upon immortality.
- The book is part of the LaNague Federation Series but its also self-contained.
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Some of these are repeats of what other people have already mentioned:
Mario Acevedo:
The Nymphos of Rocky Flats
X Rated Bloodsuckers
Piers Anthony:
Xanth series
Adept series
Robert Asprin:
Myth series
John deChancie:
Castle series
Jasper Fforde:
Thursday Next series
Nursery Crimes series
Dean Koontz:
The Odd series
(some people may not agree with this choice)
A. Lee Martinez:
Gil's All Fright Diner
Jody Lynn Nye:
Mythology series
F. Paul Wilson:
Repairman Jack series
(again ... people may disagree with me on this one)
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Anna J
- Tuesday, January 1 2008
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John DuChancie's Castle series is so funny.Xanth of course.There is a book called Fools Errant by Matthew Hughes you should check out too. Unusual but a really fun time.
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louby
- Wednesday, October 31 2007
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The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. Snappy dialogue and some creatively original situations!
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Hi Louby!
Have you read the next one? (Is it even out yet???)
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louby
- Saturday, December 1 2007
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Hi! Yes the sequel is out (Red Seas Under Red Skies), it's on the top of my TBR pile, so I'll be reading it in the next couple of weeks.
Looking forward to it!
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Seconded! Lies of Locke Lamora is the most fun I've ever had reading a fantasy book...ever. It's not all laughs - there's a serious side - but for snappy dialogue and well-developed characters, it's an absolute must!
And the sequel's just as good.
But now I can't wait to read the third one!! Grr! )c:
Plus, spot on to whoever said The Princess Bride. Absolute classic.
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Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
Terry Pratchet and Neil Gaiman
Phule's Company series by Robert Aspirin and friends
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I find the writing of Glen Cook highly enjoyable. From his writings I guess what matches your wishes the closest would be the Garret books (private investigator in a fantasy world) and the Black Company books (another fantasy series about a mercenary outfit).
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Opus
- Sunday, November 4 2007
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If you enjoy dark humor/wit, there's always Snow Crash.
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Lylah
- Monday, November 5 2007
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Maybe the Magic Kingdom for Sale books.
The MYTH books are pretty funny.
Or the Xanth series, especially the earlier books.
Neverwhere is another one.
Or, for Sci-Fi, the Miles Vorkosigan saga. Lots of grim humor there if you look.
HTH
Lylah
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Terry Pratchett's Discworld series is fantastic!
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Bafut
- Sunday, November 18 2007
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Diana Wynne Jones is one f the wittiest authors I know- not exactly like ord of the Rings, but her more adult books- Dark Lord of Derkholm, Year of the Griffin, Deep secret and Wild magic are books I read and reread cons |